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Ariya Jutanugarn got past her older sister Moriya 2-up in the
second round at Club de Golf Mexico in the first match-play
event on the LPGA Tour since 2012.
Wie moved into the next round with with a 3-and-2 win over LPGA
rookie Laura Gonzalez Escallon of Belgium that included for the
second consecutive day an eagle on the par-5, 464-yard second
hole.
Also winning second-round matches were top-ranked Lydia Ko of
New Zealand, 39-year-old Cristie Kerr and Canadian Brooke
Henderson.
The Jutanugarn match went down to the last hole before Ariya
secured the victory. The 21-year-old, who finished the round
with four birdies, could not pull away from her 22-year-old
sibling Moriya -- the lead was never more than two holes.
"Today we had fun because we are sisters and we always have fun
anyways," Ariya said. "She plays so good. I can't believe I beat
her today because she's so good."
Moriya will head back to Florida to watch her sister, who next
faces Pernilla Lindberg of Sweden, try to win the tournament.
"We don't try to be easy on each other," Moriya said.
"Hopefully, next time we are not in the same pool and don't have
to see each other so early in the week."
Wie took control of her match with a 20-foot birdie putt on No.
11 for a 3-up advantage. Her third-round opponent will be Marina
Alex, a 5-and-4 winner over Jessica Korda.
"I'm happy with how I played," Wie said. "It was a fun but tough
match. I am happy the way I'm playing and just happy to
survive."
Ko defeated Jennifer Song 1-up to ensure that she'll maintain
the world No. 1 ranking after this week. Her next opponent is
South Korean Mi Jung Hur, who had to go 20 holes to knock out
Norway's Suzann Pettersen.
Kerr, who lost a six-hole playoff in Texas against Japan's Haru
Nomura on Sunday, dispatched Korean Jenny Shin 4 and 3. She will
face Cydney Clanton, a 19-hole winner over Germany's Caroline
Masson.
Henderson rallied after trailing Ryann O'Toole 2-down after nine
with a run of four straight birdies for a 2-and-1 win.
"I knew I had some work to do," Henderson said. "I was able to
do make four birdies in a row (starting at 12) that helped my
momentum."
Former world number one Inbee Park fell 3 and 2 to Angela
Stafford.
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